We got to capture a Hawksbill sea turtle the first time we headed out. It was a male that had already had a tracker on it. He was feisty.

His shell was beautiful. We were able to get a tissue sample and a blood sample as well to see where he had been eating, and then for more research we did a lavage wash to see what exactly he had been eating.

The other day the research assistants went out and captured four turtles three of which were Green turtles and then one other female Hawksbill.  The Greens were beautiful as well. All the Green turtles were females and were pretty decent sized for being females.

Going to Costa Rica was never on my list of countries to visit, until this trip became available through the school. I always thought that since I never spoke Spanish that it would be best not to travel there.

Well I was wrong!

Even though I was not able to speak Spanish very well, I made it through and enjoyed the experience. We would spend eleven days out of the United States and travel to an unknown country for me, to help the sea turtles and plant mangroves. I thought to myself that seems easy enough. Well It was fun but I wouldn’t say it was easy.

We all had a blast and I am happy that we all got along so great too.

The first couple days I definitely felt like I tourist, since we stopped at a souvenir shop and stopped to watch some crocodiles swim up to land. I couldn’t help at just be over impressed with how big them suckers were! Traveling through the roads was an experience in itself. I got a pre-warning on how they drive over there but wasn’t expecting to experience the adrenaline rush every time we passed a motorcycle or vehicle!